The Kona's most serious documented problems are battery short-circuit fire recalls on the 2019–2020 Kona Electric (20V630 and 21V127) and a piston-oil-ring engine recall on 2019–2021 models with the 2.0L Nu engine (21V301). The Kona N has fuel-pump and transmission recalls, and the 2024-and-later Kona has seat belt and steering-knuckle recalls.
CarWhere lists 12 documented Kona issues, including 11 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source. Recall entries come from NHTSA's recall dataset on the DOT open-data portal, which may not list every campaign, so run the specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup.
OS (2018–2023) Kona problems
Kona Electric battery can short-circuit and catch fire; park outside (recall 20V630) (2019–2020 (Kona Electric))
Safety recall- Generation:
- OS (2018–2023)
- Years:
- 2019–2020 (Kona Electric)
- Powertrain:
- Electric
The lithium-ion battery in some 2019–2020 Kona Electrics may short-circuit, which raises the risk of fire. Dealers update the battery management software and inspect the battery, replacing it if needed, free of charge. Owners were told to park outside and away from buildings until the work was done.
Symptoms
- Battery or EV system warning
- Unusual heat or smell from under the floor
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask whether the battery was inspected or replaced
- Until the repair is confirmed, follow the recall advice to park outside and away from buildings
NHTSA recall: 20V630 (2020-10-13) · 6,707 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [1]
Kona Electric battery short-circuit risk; battery replacement (recall 21V127) (2019–2020 (Kona Electric))
Safety recall- Generation:
- OS (2018–2023)
- Years:
- 2019–2020 (Kona Electric)
- Powertrain:
- Electric
This follow-up campaign covers 2019–2020 Kona Electrics, plus the 2020 Ioniq Electric, whose lithium-ion batteries may short-circuit and catch fire. As an interim step, owners could install a battery update through the infotainment system or at a dealer. The final remedy is a dealer inspection of the battery system assembly, replaced if needed, free of charge. Owners were told to park outside until the interim step was done.
Symptoms
- EV system warning light
- Reduced charge capacity after the interim update
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask for the repair order showing whether the battery system assembly was replaced
- Until the repair is confirmed, follow the recall advice to park outside and away from buildings
NHTSA recall: 21V127 (2021-03-01) · 4,696 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [2]
2.0L Nu engine piston oil rings may fail (recall 21V301) (2019–2021)
Safety recall- Generation:
- OS (2018–2023)
- Years:
- 2019–2021
The piston oil rings in the 2.0L Nu MPI engine may not have been heat-treated correctly, which can damage the engine. A damaged engine can stall, and leaking oil can reach hot exhaust parts and start a fire. Dealers inspect the engine and replace it if needed, and Hyundai added Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software, free of charge. The 158,493-vehicle count also covers the Elantra and Veloster.
Symptoms
- High oil consumption
- Engine knocking or ticking
- Blue smoke from the exhaust
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Confirm the PNSS software was installed
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 21V301 (2021-04-28) · 158,493 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [3]
Kona Electric air bag control software can deactivate air bags (recall 26V728) (2019–2023 (Kona Electric))
Safety recall- Generation:
- OS (2018–2023)
- Years:
- 2019–2023 (Kona Electric)
- Powertrain:
- Electric
A software error in the air bag control unit can wrongly switch off the air bags and seat belt pretensioners, so they would not work in a crash. Dealers update the control unit software, free of charge. Hyundai filed the recall on November 3, 2026, with owner letters expected around January 1, 2027. The 37,901-vehicle count also includes the Veloster N.
Symptoms
- Air bag warning light may be the only sign
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- VINs become searchable on NHTSA.gov from November 6, 2026
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 26V728 (2026-11-03) · 37,901 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [4]
Kona Electric electronic brake may reduce braking (recall 20V748) (2019–2021 (Kona Electric))
Safety recall- Generation:
- OS (2018–2023)
- Years:
- 2019–2021 (Kona Electric)
- Powertrain:
- Electric
The integrated electronic brake (IEB) system can read a sensor signal as abnormal and sharply reduce braking performance, which lengthens stopping distances. Dealers update the IEB software, free of charge. The 8,176-vehicle count also includes the Nexo fuel-cell vehicle.
Symptoms
- Brake warning light
- Brake pedal feels different or braking is weaker
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 20V748 (2020-12-01) · 8,176 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [5]
Kona EV power control unit can leak coolant and lose power (recall 22V941) (2021 (Kona Electric))
Safety recall- Generation:
- OS (2018–2023)
- Years:
- 2021 (Kona Electric)
- Powertrain:
- Electric
The Electric Power Control Unit (EPCU) may not have been sealed properly and can leak coolant internally. Coolant on the circuit board can cut drive power. Dealers inspect and replace the EPCU as needed, free of charge.
Symptoms
- Sudden loss of drive power
- EV system warning light
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 22V941 (2022-12-16) · 853 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [6]
Kona N fuel pump may fail (recall 24V528) (Kona N (model years as listed in the recall with 2022–2023 Elantra N))
Safety recall- Generation:
- OS (2018–2023)
- Years:
- Kona N (model years as listed in the recall with 2022–2023 Elantra N)
- Powertrain:
- Kona N (engine not specified in the recall)
The fuel pump may fail, which can cut drive power. Dealers update the engine control software and inspect and replace the fuel pump assembly as needed, free of charge. The 54,647-vehicle count covers the whole campaign, which also includes the Veloster N, Elantra N and Genesis G70.
Symptoms
- Hesitation or stumbling under load
- Stalling or hard starting
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 24V528 (2024-07-12) · 54,647 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [7]
Kona N transmission fail-safe may not work, cutting drive power (recall 22V746) (2022 (Kona N))
Safety recall- Generation:
- OS (2018–2023)
- Years:
- 2022 (Kona N)
- Powertrain:
- Kona N (engine not specified in the recall)
If the transmission oil pump malfunctions, the limited-mobility 'fail-safe' drive mode may not work, which can lead to a complete loss of drive power. Dealers inspect and replace the transmission as needed and update its software, free of charge. The 56,148-vehicle count also covers Santa Fe, Sonata, Santa Cruz, Elantra N and Veloster N models.
Symptoms
- Transmission warning light
- Sudden loss of drive
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 22V746 (2022-10-06) · 56,148 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [8]
Turn-key Kona models need the free anti-theft software upgrade (campaign 993) (2018–2022)
Moderate- Generation:
- OS (2018–2023)
- Years:
- 2018–2022
- Powertrain:
- All engines with a turn-key ignition and no engine immobilizer
Hyundai offers a free anti-theft software upgrade, service campaign 993, for 2011–2022 Hyundai models built with a traditional turn-key ignition and no engine immobilizer, after a theft method spread on social media. Once installed, locking the doors with the key fob arms the factory alarm and an ignition-kill feature, so the car cannot be started that way. Hyundai says vehicles with push-button start, or built after November 2021, already have an immobilizer and are not affected. A Kona with a turn-key ignition from these years may qualify; the VIN check settles it.
Symptoms
- Vehicle starts with a mechanical key in a turn-key ignition (no push-button start)
- No record of campaign 993 in the service history
Check before buying
- Enter the VIN on Hyundai's campaign 993 site (autoservice.hyundaiusa.com/Campaign993) to see whether the upgrade applies and is done
- Confirm the alarm and ignition-kill feature arm when you lock the doors with the fob
- Ask a Hyundai dealer to install the upgrade if it is still open; it is free
Sources: [12][13][14]
SX2 (2024–present) Kona problems
Rear center seat belt buckle may fail; don’t use that seat (recall 26V452) (2024–2026 Kona, 2024–2025 Kona Electric)
Safety recall- Generation:
- SX2 (2024–present)
- Years:
- 2024–2026 Kona, 2024–2025 Kona Electric
- Powertrain:
- All
The rear center seat belt buckle may not hold an occupant properly in a crash. Hyundai advises not using the rear center seat until dealers replace the buckle assembly, free of charge.
Symptoms
- No warning signs before a crash
Check before buying
- Avoid seating anyone in the rear center position until the repair is done
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 26V452 (2026-07-14) · 47,787 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [9]
2026 Kona steering knuckles may crack (recall 26V069) (2026)
Safety recall- Generation:
- SX2 (2024–present)
- Years:
- 2026
- Powertrain:
- All
Because of a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can cause a loss of steering control. Dealers inspect and replace the knuckles as needed, free of charge.
Symptoms
- Clunking from the front suspension
- Steering that wanders or feels loose
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 26V069 (2026-02-06) · 4,555 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [10]
2024 Kona battery cables can short in a crash (recall 23V901) (2024)
Safety recall- Generation:
- SX2 (2024–present)
- Years:
- 2024
- Powertrain:
- Not specified in the recall
The 12-volt battery cables can rub against the engine control module bracket and short-circuit during a crash, raising the risk of an engine-compartment fire. Dealers add protective sheathing over the wiring, free of charge.
Symptoms
- No warning signs in normal driving
Check before buying
- Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) and confirm the campaign shows as remedied
- Ask a Hyundai dealer for the repair order showing the recall work was completed
NHTSA recall: 23V901 (2023-12-26) · 10,984 vehicles in the campaign
Sources: [11]